Life-long friends

Sun Sentinel, File

Cruising in the Everglades on a privately-owned airboat, Sam Fritz, 33, of Plantation, from left, Mike Thurman, 33, of Davie, and Alan Huffman, 36, of Hollywood exchange lighthearted words Friday evening. The three men, who have been friends since grade school, often use their free time to ride Thurman's self-built airboat from Everglades Holiday Park at 21940 Griffin Road in Ft. Lauderdale to their camp site nestled several miles out in the Sawgrass. "It don't matter what car you drive, or how much money you make," said Fritz. "We're just out here relaxing."

Cruising in the Everglades on a privately-owned airboat, Sam Fritz, 33, of Plantation, from left, Mike Thurman, 33, of Davie, and Alan Huffman, 36, of Hollywood exchange lighthearted words Friday evening. The three men, who have been friends since grade school, often use their free time to ride Thurman's self-built airboat from Everglades Holiday Park at 21940 Griffin Road in Ft. Lauderdale to their camp site nestled several miles out in the Sawgrass. "It don't matter what car you drive, or how much money you make," said Fritz. "We're just out here relaxing." (Sun Sentinel, File)

Cruising in the Everglades on a privately-owned airboat, Sam Fritz, 33, of Plantation, from left, Mike Thurman, 33, of Davie, and Alan Huffman, 36, of Hollywood exchange lighthearted words Friday evening. The three men, who have been friends since grade school, often use their free time to ride Thurman's self-built airboat from Everglades Holiday Park at 21940 Griffin Road in Ft. Lauderdale to their camp site nestled several miles out in the Sawgrass. "It don't matter what car you drive, or how much money you make," said Fritz. "We're just out here relaxing."